Background: While many employees who have a chronic disease manage their jobs well, others are hampered in work performance, experience work-related problems and are at risk for job loss.
Aims: To identify the practical and psychosocial barriers recognized by employees with chronic disease who experience work-related problems and to examine preferred work accommodations.
Methods: A questionnaire was sent by mail and completed by current workers who have a chronic disease and experience serious problems at work.
Results: One hundred and twenty-two employees participated in this study. On average, they had been ill for 10 years and 44% had more than one disease. The most outstanding work-related problems were psychosocial, including work-home interference and a lack of acceptance of the chronic disease. Performing and finishing work tasks and social relationships with supervisors or colleagues were also felt to be slightly problematic. The most preferred work accommodations included fewer work hours, working from home, a slower work pace and more autonomy in planning work tasks. Almost three-quarters of the respondents were so fatigued that they were at risk of sickness absence or work disability.
Conclusions: A chronic physical disease may lead to both practical and psychosocial problems and serious fatigue. Managing psychosocial problems may decrease fatigue.